Roadrunners saddled with two-game skid, QB questions

Published 10:33 pm, Sunday, October 21, 2012

UTSA's Evans Okotcha (21) leaps over San Jose State's Cullen Newsome (39) in the first half at the Alamodome on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012.

UTSA's Evans Okotcha (21) leaps over San Jose State's Cullen Newsome (39) in the first half at the Alamodome on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012.

Photo: Kin Man Hui, Express-News

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UTSA's Evans Okotcha (21) sprints to a 69-yard touchdown against San Jose State in the first half at the Alamodome on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012.

UTSA's Evans Okotcha (21) sprints to a 69-yard touchdown against San Jose State in the first half at the Alamodome on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012.

Photo: Kin Man Hui, Express-News

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San Jose State's Chris Kearney (20) gets lifted up by teammate Max MIller (80) after the Spartans recovered a botched punt snap for a touchdown against UTSA in the first half at the Alamodome on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012. less

San Jose State's Chris Kearney (20) gets lifted up by teammate Max MIller (80) after the Spartans recovered a botched punt snap for a touchdown against UTSA in the first half at the Alamodome on Saturday, Oct. ... more

Photo: Kin Man Hui, Express-News

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UTSA's Darrien Starling (24) blocks a pass intended for San Jose State's Kyle Nunn (19) in the first half at the Alamodome on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012.

UTSA's Darrien Starling (24) blocks a pass intended for San Jose State's Kyle Nunn (19) in the first half at the Alamodome on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012.

Photo: Kin Man Hui, Express-News

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San Jose State quarterback David Fales runs in for a touchdown against UTSA in the first half at the Alamodome on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012.

San Jose State quarterback David Fales runs in for a touchdown against UTSA in the first half at the Alamodome on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012.

Photo: Kin Man Hui, Express-News

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UTSA quarterback Ryan Polite gets hauled down by San Jose State's Jeffrey Telles (41) and James Orth (81) in the second half at the Alamodome on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012.

UTSA quarterback Ryan Polite gets hauled down by San Jose State's Jeffrey Telles (41) and James Orth (81) in the second half at the Alamodome on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012.

Photo: Kin Man Hui, Express-News

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UTSA's David Glasco, II (11) leaps over teammate Nate Shaw (27) as San Jose State's Derek Muaava (34) closes in for a tackle in the first half at the Alamodome on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012.

UTSA's David Glasco, II (11) leaps over teammate Nate Shaw (27) as San Jose State's Derek Muaava (34) closes in for a tackle in the first half at the Alamodome on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012.

Photo: Kin Man Hui, Express-News

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UTSA's Franky Anaya (64) gets congratulated by graduate assistant coach Benny Morrison after Anaya recovered a fumble against San Jose State in the first half at the Alamodome on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012.

UTSA's Franky Anaya (64) gets congratulated by graduate assistant coach Benny Morrison after Anaya recovered a fumble against San Jose State in the first half at the Alamodome on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012.

Photo: Kin Man Hui, Express-News

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UTSA quarterback Ryan Polite (07) attempts a pass against San Jose State in the first half at the Alamodome on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012.

UTSA quarterback Ryan Polite (07) attempts a pass against San Jose State in the first half at the Alamodome on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012.

Photo: Kin Man Hui, Express-News

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UTSA quarterback Ryan Polite (07) makes a throw against San Jose State in the second half at the Alamodome on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012.

UTSA quarterback Ryan Polite (07) makes a throw against San Jose State in the second half at the Alamodome on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012.

Photo: Kin Man Hui, Express-News

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UTSA's Steven Kurfehs (44) runs away from San Jose State's Joe Gray with a fumble recovery and scores a touchdown in the second half at the Alamodome on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012. UTSA lost to San Jose State, 52-24. less

UTSA's Steven Kurfehs (44) runs away from San Jose State's Joe Gray with a fumble recovery and scores a touchdown in the second half at the Alamodome on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012. UTSA lost to San Jose State, ... more

Photo: Kin Man Hui, Express-News

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UTSA's Erik Brown (17) nearly picks off a pass against San Jose State's Chris Kearney (20) in the second half at the Alamodome on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012.

UTSA's Erik Brown (17) nearly picks off a pass against San Jose State's Chris Kearney (20) in the second half at the Alamodome on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012.

Photo: Kin Man Hui, Express-News

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UTSA's Evans Okotcha (21) trips over San Jose State's Cullen Newsome (39) in the second half at the Alamodome on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012.

UTSA's Evans Okotcha (21) trips over San Jose State's Cullen Newsome (39) in the second half at the Alamodome on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012.

Photo: Kin Man Hui, Express-News

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UTSA's Kenny Harrison (18) dives for a touchdown against San Jose State's Ben� Benwikere (21) in the second half at the Alamodome on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012. UTSA lost to San Jose, 52-24.

UTSA's Kenny Harrison (18) dives for a touchdown against San Jose State's Ben� Benwikere (21) in the second half at the Alamodome on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012. UTSA lost to San Jose, 52-24.

Photo: Kin Man Hui, Express-News

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UTSA's Steven Kurfehs (44) gets congratulated by teammate Cole Hubble (83) after Kurfehs scored a touchdown on a fumble recovery against San Jose State in the second half at the Alamodome on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012. less

UTSA's Steven Kurfehs (44) gets congratulated by teammate Cole Hubble (83) after Kurfehs scored a touchdown on a fumble recovery against San Jose State in the second half at the Alamodome on Saturday, Oct. 20, ... more

Photo: Kin Man Hui, Express-News

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UTSA's Cole Hubble tries to push for extra yardage against San Jose State in the second half at the Alamodome on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012.

UTSA's Cole Hubble tries to push for extra yardage against San Jose State in the second half at the Alamodome on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012.

Photo: Kin Man Hui, Express-News

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George De Leon, aka The Beak Man, cheers on UTSA against San Jose State at the Alamodome on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012.

George De Leon, aka The Beak Man, cheers on UTSA against San Jose State at the Alamodome on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012.

Photo: Kin Man Hui, Express-News

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UTSA quarterback Eric Soza helps out with the play calling despite being sidelined with an injury in the game against San Jose State at the Alamodome on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012.

UTSA quarterback Eric Soza helps out with the play calling despite being sidelined with an injury in the game against San Jose State at the Alamodome on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012.

Photo: Kin Man Hui, Express-News

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UTSA head coach Larry Coker had little to cheer about during the first half against San Jose State at the Alamodome on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012. UTSA lost to San Jose State, 52-24.

UTSA head coach Larry Coker had little to cheer about during the first half against San Jose State at the Alamodome on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012. UTSA lost to San Jose State, 52-24.

Photo: Kin Man Hui, Express-News

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UTSA alumni and NBC Sports reporter Michelle Beadle (center) waves to fans while standing beside UTSA President Ricardo Romo and NuStar Energy chairman Bill Greehey prior to the coin toss in the game between UTSA and San Jose State at the Alamodome on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012. less

UTSA alumni and NBC Sports reporter Michelle Beadle (center) waves to fans while standing beside UTSA President Ricardo Romo and NuStar Energy chairman Bill Greehey prior to the coin toss in the game between ... more

Photo: Kin Man Hui, Express-News

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Roadrunners saddled with two-game skid, QB questions

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UTSA coach Larry Coker figured he would face tough times at some point this season.

But with misfortunes mounting halfway through the most difficult four-game stretch in the schedule, Coker has been forced to re-think some of his long-range plans.

Blown out on the road at Rice and at home against San Jose State, UTSA next likely faces the two best teams on its slate over the next two weeks.

The Utah State Aggies (6-2, 2-0 Western Athletic Conference) will roll into the Alamodome on Saturday, already bowl-eligible and looking to stay undefeated in conference play.

A week later, the Roadrunners will be back on the road to play the preseason WAC favorite Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, who feature one of the nation's most prolific offenses.

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To complicate the equation, UTSA (5-2, 1-1) may have to play without injured No. 1 quarterback Eric Soza for an indefinite period — possibly for the season — until a hip injury heals.

Redshirt freshman Ryan Polite showed promise in throwing for 302 yards and a couple of touchdowns in the 52-24 loss to the Spartans on Saturday.

In the meantime, the question looms about what to do with junior Tucker Carter. Since the opening of fall camp, he's been considered either the No. 2 or co-No. 2 quarterback in the system.

Coker wants to redshirt him.

But depending on Polite's development and Soza's health, the coach may not have that luxury.

"We're going to play the very best football that we can," Coker said. "And if Eric can come back and play, that's fine. If not, we'll bring somebody out of redshirt, probably Tucker, and get him some opportunities to be on the field."

The UTSA offense looked shaky at the outset against San Jose State, which stuffed the Roadrunners on two possessions en route to a 14-0 lead. After two turnovers unrelated to Polite, it was 28-0.

The Spartans then capitalized on a Polite fumble for a second-quarter field goal and a 31-0 lead.

"I think (Polite) made some plays," Coker said. "I think (he was) a little uptight early. He had some easy plays he didn't make, and he had some plays (later) that not many people would have made. I think he settled down in the second half and played pretty well."

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Utah State

When: 1 p.m. Saturday

Where: Alamodome

Rundown: Utah State (6-2, 2-0 WAC) registered a convincing victory at Utah in Week 2 and played tough in losing by two points at Wisconsin and three at BYU. The Aggies also are coming off impressive back-to-back conference wins. Utah State blew out San Jose State 49-27 on the road and returned home to throttle New Mexico State 41-7.

Coker seems torn on the Carter question. He calls the junior college transfer from Trinity Valley a "very good prospect" and admitted that it would be difficult to take off the redshirt this late in the season.

"I just don't want to waste players," the coach said. "That's a hard call because we've got five games left, and also, I want to win all these five games. These players in that dressing room, I want to do everything we can to help them win those five games."